The Loyal & Trustworthy Citizen

This is a key observation I have noticed during my stay in Bali and it is something I have not seen anywhere else in my travels around the world, which may be in the minority when compared to other people but I would still like to share my views. They call this island a paradise but it is not only because of the panoramic views, or the rich culture or even the strong belief that the people have in their religion. Yes, Bali does offer something for everyone right from crystal blue waters to white sandy beaches, flora and fauna and even volcanos. Shopping for the ladies, forests and mountains and oceans for the enthusiastic adventurer are always present but there is something else which is often missed by all tourists and for me that is what highlights or is the biggest factor in calling this place-'Paradise', and that is the PEOPLE. Todays world is filled with Wars, Hatred, Petty Politics, Rape and Crimes of various nature, but here those words seem to be from a different world. I write this, sitting at my desk in the peaceful and tranquil location of Ubud, a sleepy little town which is fast becoming one of the top tourist destinations in the world. Many would debate me on the fact that my views and opinions may not be the same if I was in Kuta but that area has only changed due to the influx of the 'expats' and the rowdy tourists from across the waters that are ruining (if not ruined already) the ambience and image of the island. I have never seen such trust, loyalty and generosity that the people over here display day in and day out. You may be a complete stranger on a holiday on the island but the local people will go out of their way to make you feel at home, always greeting you with a friendly smile as you walk past. There are countless stories of support, generosity and helpfulness that tourists encounter personally everyday, that go unnoticed. I myself have had such experiences and witnessed such moments which I would like to share with you. One incident was when a bar owner (he has leased the management of the place to an expat) stopped to have a chat with one of the local staff members on how he felt about the place. He was a young boy of 21 and had been at the bar for three years. One could tell he was unhappy with the management. After hearing countless stories and incidents, he sort of promised him he would try and turn things around to the best of his abilities. The owner was moved by his loyalty and hard work at the bar, despite his unhappiness and suffering at the hands of the management. The owner offered to double his salary on the spot from his own pocket. What happened next was something I'll never forget. With folded hands and a bowed head, the boy politely refused the offer with the words in his local language,- "I will accept the offer when I see a change in the bar and this establishment is back to to being the best in the region". He said he was not working for the money but for the betterment of the place and his affection for the owner. That incident was an eye opener and a sort of turning point in my life. I also read of another incident where a female tourist was riding her two wheeler without knowing she had a flat tire (trust them not to notice such things), when an old lady from the side of the road screamed at her indicating that she had a flat tire. No sooner had she stopped her bike, than a young boy appeared out of no where and offered to help. Within minutes she was up and on her way. The charge- Nothing. It is such incidents and the love and generosity of the people that make this island a paradise to live on. One must however respect the local people and not take their simple and humble lifestyles for granted and as a weakness. To prove to you, the trust people have for one another, I have not seen a single household lock their doors or windows when they sleep at night. I have seen countless shops that are unmanned for hours because theft and petty crimes are unknown in these areas. Everyone is happy with what they have and are not greedy or looking for more. They all live in communities, equal to one another and help each other out. It is this sort of lifestyle and trust amongst the people that makes this an island of paradise and a true joy to be a part of.

GALUNGAN & KUNINGAN

One of the most religious and recurring festivals and ceremonies observed here in Bali is that of GALUNGAN and KUNINGAN. Galungan is the festival that celebrates the victory of 'Dharma over Adharma'. This is a period when all the ancestral spirits are said to descend on earth. These are the spirits of deceased relatives who have been cremated and they return to their former places of residence. The current occupants of their former homes are then entrusted with the responsibility of being hospitable through the means of Prayers and Offerings. The most significant of these hospitable acts, is the construction and arrangement of bamboo poles which are weighed down by the offerings which are placed at the top of the pole. These poles are known as 'Penjors'

and the picture (below) illustrates a street in a local village that is aligned with such penjors and a single penjor. It really is a remarkable sight to behold.

Galungan is a festival that is observed by the Balinese Hindus and the dates are decided by the 210 day Balinese Calendar. The festival stretches over a period of 10 to 11 days and these days have various names and activities that are to be performed. The festival ends with a day called 'KUNINGAN' which is the day the ancestral spirits return to heaven. Because the Balinese Calendar has 210 days there is the possibilty of having two of these festivals in the same solar year. Galungan itself lasts two days but preparations and activities start well before and run even after the two days. Bear with me as I try and take you through the various days of this special festival. THREE DAYS BEFORE - 'Penyekeban' - a day where bananas are cooked for the offerings TWO DAYS BEFORE - 'Penyajaan' - On this day fried rice cakes are prepared, also known as 'jaja' 1 DAY BEFORE- 'Penampahan' - (sorry vegetarians) but this is the day when pigs and turtles are slaughtered for the feasts. THE FIRST DAY OF GALUNGAN- This day is observed as a preparation for the following day. A great deal of preparations go into this day such as decorating of temples, offerings to Gods, and preparation of food. Men create the 'Penjors' and get the suckling roast pig ready, known as 'Babi Guling". THE SECOND DAY- this is the main day of the celebration and is filled with various different types of ceremonies. Each family will have a ceremony at their temple at home as well as the main village temple that they are a part off. 1 DAY AFTER - 'Manis Galungan' - which means 'Sweet Galungan'. This is the day of celebration and the entire family has loads of fun. Families visit beaches for a swim in the ocean or head out on picnics and various other such activities. Visiting of different members of the family happens on this day. 10 DAYS AFTER - 'Kuningan' - This is the day when the ancestral spirits return to the heavens. This day is filled with prayers, offerings and other such ceremonies. 11 DAYS AFTER - a day of rejoicing and fun for all. The image (above) depicts ladies of the villages all dressed up carrying offerings to the temples. This festival truly is a sight to behold and those visiting Bali should try and time their trips in order to catch a glimpse of this event.

AND IM BACK- Paradise Regained

Having left the island just about after my last post, I have been praying and searching for a way to get back. Even though my parents were here for a while, it was always a short holiday trip and they ended up returning to India a couple of years back which shut my Bali entry. However after slogging it out in Gurgaon for five years, I feel lucky and blessed to have been able to relocate myself to Bali and work here. Im extremely, extremely grateful to the person who has been kind and generous to let me help him with his business here. What once was Paradise Lost is now Paradise Regained. I have been in Bali for two weeks now and plan to establish myself here as fast as i can. So stay tuned for what i hope would be daily and weekly updates as I venture and explore this glorious island, soaking in the sights, sounds and various people I meet and my genereal thoughts on the experiences I face.